Conformation Critique Please?

[Spotted at X]

Some might remember my dream baby from an original UDBB thread back in 2008, this is the best conformation photo I have that's (sorta) recent. He'd been undersaddle 6 months in this photo, though its now close to two years old. I will get current photos in Nov when we move to Florida where he's been in training, but would love to hear thoughts so I can compare them to a new photo to see what has changed! Thanks!

[PNG_Pony]

I have no comment except WOW, I LOVE THOSE SPOTS!!

[mari]

I'm a fan of spots, those are gorgeous!

He looks nicely put together (I'm not a conformation guru AT ALL). He's got typically upright Appaloosa pasterns, and he looks a little over at the knee, but other than that he looks well made

[Spotted at X]

I think he actually got his pasterns from his Oldenburg dam, his legs look very similar to hers from photos I have.

I think his hip could be a tiny bit fuller, and his back a tad shorter to make collection easier. And I wish his cannons were a bit longer with a shorter humerus. But I can't complain too much considering what a train wreck some full ApHC horses are these days, especially the halater heavy lines. He's a Wap line, so bred for sports, Butterwap Confetti is his sire.

[angela9823]

I definitely think the hindend comes from the sire. The hocks are set way back on both of them. He is sooo long legged! But general impression overall, I like him. I think I said before that I know a horse that looks just like him. His hocks are set very similar - same coloring. He's a nice mover and started competing in jumpers about two years ago at age 19. He'll turn 21 this coming January and still going very strong. I don't know a day in his life that he's taken a wrong step. He was born on my property here so I've known him his entire life. I need to find out the App breeding on this fellow. They could pass for twins.

[Spotted at X]

Yes! He has legs for days! His barrel isn't too long for me if I've got my dressage saddle on, but in my jumper saddle with the shorter stirrups I look a little out of place on him!

Speaking of identical horses, here's his full younger brother 2010 model at a dressage show. I got to go very briefly and take photos of him!

I think Fritz got the dam's deeper hip, he's also been in Dressage specific training for two years now so his topline is much better then Logans is.

[redsoxluvr]

I think he is a little upright in the shoulder and I'm not crazy about his hind end. That being said, I like that he has good heels and enough bone for his body mass. Maybe he's a little upright but his pastern angle matches his shoulder. I think he will sprout a decent wither and topline with a little work.

Looks like a fun boy. Have a great time with him!

[HafDressage]

Let me start by saying I LOVE his look. I think he is super duper adorable and I'm sure you are so in love.

From strictly a conformation standpoint, the two things that I would say are not my absolute favorite is that he is a little "camped out behind" and even though it seems that he carries his neck high, I think it is actually set on just a hair lower than maybe perfectly ideal. Maybe as someone else said, he is a hair over in the knee, but certainly not too bad. Those things being said, I'm sure assuming soundness and good training there is nothing stopping him from being a fancy GP horse.

Definitely post his progress, I'll be excited to root for him in the future!

[Chisamba]

I think he looks quite athletic with his long legs, however he could, as you noted, have a deeper hip, and as Hafdressage noted, his hocks are somewhat out behind. Although he could use a better lay back in the shoulder, i think his elbows are not tied in, so freedom of shoulder will come with training. I quite like his neck and topline. I like the square chest and depth of his girth. I do like his healthy hooves.